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Maine School District Joins Donald Trump in Transgender Athlete Sports Dispute with Governor Janet Mills
A school board in Hodgdon, Maine, has become a new ally for Donald Trump in his disagreement with Maine Governor Janet Mills concerning the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s scholastic sports. This decision highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding transgender athletes and sports policy at the local and national level.
School Board Backs “Biological Sex” Definition
The Hodgdon, Maine, school board voted unanimously to support the stance advocated by President Trump. The board’s motion explicitly ‘recognizes only two sexes – biological male and biological female,’ mandating that all private spaces within schools be separated based on biological sex. This declaration is a significant move in the escalating debate over transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
Superintendent Mandated to Enforce Policy
Tyler Putnam, superintendent of MSAD #70, stated to Fox News that this directive from the school board necessitates a policy change. He is now required to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports within the district, which is known to be strongly supportive of President Trump and is located near the Canadian border.
Policy Revisions Underway
‘The motion instructs me to revise our policies to conform to this decision,’ Putnam informed Fox News. ‘It is my understanding that the school board will be looking to approve revised policies that link biological sex to specific athletic teams. This means that biological males will participate only with other biological males, and the same applies to biological females.’
Putnam added that ‘These policy revisions will need to be reviewed and approved by both the policy committee and the full board.’ The new policy is expected to formalize the district’s stance on athlete eligibility based on biological sex.
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State Representative Praises Decision
Tracy Quint, a Republican state representative for Maine, quickly lauded the decision made by his constituents. He praised the school board for taking a stand on the contentious issue of transgender athletes in sports.
Upholding Title IX Protections
‘I am encouraged to see our local Maine community championing the rights of our students by upholding Title IX protections,’ Quint told Fox News. ‘Prioritizing fairness, safety, and privacy for all students should always take precedence over political considerations. I urge other school districts throughout the state to emulate this approach and prioritize the well-being of every student.’
Escalating Conflict Over Transgender Sports Policy
The school board’s action occurs amidst a growing ideological and financial conflict between the Trump administration and Governor Mills. The Trump administration has voiced strong opposition to transgender athletes competing in female sports, while Governor Mills has pledged to uphold Maine’s existing laws supporting inclusivity.
Federal Funding Dispute and Legal Challenges
The disagreement has led to the Trump administration reducing federal funding to Maine, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be a protracted legal confrontation. The withholding of funds is directly linked to the state’s transgender sports policies and compliance with Title IX.
Recently, a federal judge intervened, ordering the Trump administration to release frozen funds designated for a Maine child nutrition program. These funds had been suspended as part of the broader dispute.
Title IX Compliance Questioned
According to a letter from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the funding suspension resulted from a disagreement regarding Maine’s adherence to Title IX. This federal law prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities, and its application to transgender athletes is at the heart of the current debate.
Following the Secretary’s letter, Maine’s Department of Education experienced restricted access to federal funding sources vital for the state’s nutrition program, according to court documents.
A lawsuit initiated by state Attorney General Aaron Frey revealed that the affected child nutrition program was slated to receive over $1.8 million for the current fiscal year. Additionally, more than $900,000 in previously awarded funds remained inaccessible. The lawsuit further indicated that the program typically anticipates around $3 million each July for summer meal program administration and meal reimbursements.
White House Meeting and Funding Warning
The ongoing dispute between Maine and the Trump administration originates from the president’s efforts to withhold federal funding due to the state’s stance on transgender athletes. In February, tensions flared during a White House meeting between the president and Governor Mills. During a discussion about an executive order concerning transgender athletes, President Trump directly questioned Governor Mills about her compliance.
Governor Mills responded that she would adhere to both state and federal law, signaling a willingness to comply within legal frameworks.
‘You’d better comply,’ Trump cautioned, adding, ‘Otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding,’ indicating a direct link between policy alignment and financial support.
Governor Mills countered that she would address the administration’s actions in court, foreshadowing the ensuing legal challenges.
Judge Woodcock, in his order regarding the nutrition program funds, noted that his decision did not directly resolve the fundamental disagreement that precipitated the ‘backdrop of the impasse,’ highlighting the larger unresolved issue of transgender athlete policy.
The court’s order coincided with announcements from Maine officials that the state would not enforce a ban on transgender athletes in high school sports, despite a Trump administration determination that Maine was in violation of anti-discrimination laws for permitting their participation.
Federal Government Claims Title IX Violation
In March, the U.S. Education Department asserted that its investigation concluded the Maine Department of Education had violated federal Title IX law. The alleged violation stemmed from allowing transgender girls to compete on girls’ sports teams, a practice the federal government deems discriminatory and in conflict with Title IX protections.